Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Fall Quinoa Pilaf

My diet is almost exclusively plant-based. I will eat meat from time to time, so I like to consider myself a semi-vegetarian. Eating mostly plants is a personal choice for me. I find it easier to digest veggies and grains then a huge piece of steak. When I started eating more fruit and veg, I noticed my energy increased. I wasn't stopping at Starbucks every couple of hours to fill up on caffeine and sugar just to have my blood sugar crash in thirty minutes. I realize that everyone's body needs protein, however protein doesn't always have to be in the form of meat. A little grain called Quinoa has a nice helping of protein in it. I particularly like this grain because it helps stabilize my blood sugar and I can eat a lot of it since it is low in calories. Even if you decide to just have one vegetarian meal a week, you are doing your body an enormous favor. Try it and you might just become a VIP (Vegan Intriguing Person).

Fall Quinoa Pilaf

1 cup Quinoa cooked according to the directions on package

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

1 pomegranate, seeds removed

1/2 cup green onion, chopped

1/4 cup dried figs, chopped

1/4 cup toasted almonds

juice of 2 Meyer lemons

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon dried thyme

salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl combine parsley, green onion, pomegranate seeds and dried figs. Add Quinoa in once it has cooled off after cooking it. In a small bowl combine lemon juice, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil. Drizzle over pilaf. Garnish with toasted almonds.

You know, I really need to revisit quinoa. My first (and last) experience with it was in the late '90's. I was a vegetarian at the time, and had learned about it through a vegetarian cookbook. Following the instructions, I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed that darned quinoa, but it still had a terrible, soapy taste after I cooked it. These days I understand that it comes pre-rinsed, so that would probably help. Or maybe I just happened to get my hands on a bad batch. Everybody is raving about it lately, so I guess I'd better give it another try. In spite of the soapiness, I do remember enjoying the texture.

What a neat combination of ingredients. Both my husband and I really enjoy quinoa, and we'll be trying this version soon. I've also sent a link to a friend of mine who, with here husband, both in their late 60's, are just going vegan. They are an inspiration, as are you!